MOLEKYL: BEHIND THE SCENES – A TALK WITH THE DESIGNER

Simple design: Magnets tie thecandle holder together

Electromagnetisme tie atoms together in molecules and thereby everything in the univers. In the German designer Michael Rems interpretation of the elementary force, it is magnets that tie together steel balls to candle light holders. Here the designer explains how the minimalistic and at the same time embracing candlelight holder was created.

What is the inspiration behind the candleholder Molekyl?

Most of the times it isn’t very easy to define an inspirational source for your ideas. It’s more a combination of everything that surrounds you, your interests and experiences. And I still don’t know where my ideas come from but in the case of Molekyl I guess it was my total fascination for science that was very inspiring. With Molekyl I’m trying to show my interpretation of the electromagnetism which is one of the four elemental forces that are forming the whole universe. And especially this force leads to the bounding of different atoms to bigger molecule structures and therefore to everything surrounding us.

What is the essence of your designs and how is it visible in Molekyl?

When I’m trying to break it down to a few words, than I would say that my design is an empathic reflection of the simple and basic things in life.
I’m very gratefull that I’ve never lost this childish for the world that I’m living in and I’m trying to transport these impressions with my work. It’s about simple constructions like stilts, about what is grabbing in it’s purest way,
the way a crumpled paper looks like, the feeling of a walk on a foggy day. And sure in the smallest scale also physical principles. This simplicity is often hidden in our everyday life and I’m trying to capture these impressions in products which are telling their story in a smart, emotional and minimal way.
But I also think that every product needs to have a deeper level of design, a slightly emotional elegance, a charm that makes it to something special. That’s always my goal to achieve and I think that Molekyl is the product in which all of this came together.

How come Molekyl won the Germand Design Award 2017?

I was nominated by the german design council in 2017 with Molekyl and also with my chair concept Ebn. But honestly, at that time I didn’t believe that even one of them had a chance to win. Because we were in competition with the worlds best brands and designers. And it was a bit funny to see my self produced products in a row with these very sophisticated and highend pieces.
But at the end they’ve chosen Molekyl because of it´s very pure design, it’s amazing possibilites and the smartness behind the construction. This was and still is a big honour for me and I´m very proud that I have won this award.

How do you feel about making objects that users can individualize and create their own expressions or use of the object?

I’m feeling totally comfortable with but I’m always trying to set a well defined framework in which the user can individualize its own idea of the product. Because if you´re trying to figure out how people interact with design than you quickly getting to the conclusion that people don’t want to spend too much time in setting up their design piece. Freedom can be very exhausting
when you need to make too many decisions. I think my aim is to give users the opportunity to play with it instead of creating it.